Abdallah family considers footpath memorial, urges forgiveness after Oatlands death

The stoic families of the four children killed at Oatlands have upheld their extraordinary message of forgiveness two years after a drunk driver killed their children. They are also considering alternate plans for a memorial.

Danny Abdallah, whose three children were killed two years ago, said the family was considering a footpath memorial on the two-year anniversary of their deaths, if the Oatlands Golf Club failed to allow a garden memorial on the site.

The club board is split on whether to allow the memorial on the site where the Abdallah children Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 8, and their 11-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr were killed by drunk and drugged driver Samuel Davidson on February 1, 2020, at 8pm when they were on their way to buy ice cream.

On Wednesday, Mr Abdallah said the makeshift memorial on Bettington Rd, which is adorned with floral and religious tributes to honour the children, could become a permanent tribute accessible to the public.

He said he would discuss plans for plaques and a small community garden at the spot of their horrific death with Parramatta Council.

Danny Abdallah (centre) is embraced after the tragedy in 2020. The site could become a permanent tribute with plaques. Picture: John Grainger

Golf club members have rejected the memorial but are now split over whether to allow the larger garden memorial on the golf course or permit an over-55s Mirvac development with 193 units, a two-storey clubhouse, a restaurant and cafe.

Residents have objected to plans, citing lack of privacy, more congestion on Bettington Rd and surrounding streets, and being out of character for Oatlands.

The State Government will determine if the units are built but the council overwhelmingly opposes the application, with one councillor calling it a “blight on the environment”.

Antony Abdallah.

Angelina Abdallah.

Sienna Abdallah.

Veronique Sakr.

On Tuesday night, a memorial service was held at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral, Harris Park, to honour the second anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the life of the “four angels”.

The Abdallah and Sakr families continued to spread their extraordinary message of forgiveness.

Speaking at the memorial service, led by Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay and attended by dignitaries including Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s wife, Jenny, Mr Abdallah said the family’s pain was still raw.

“To be honest, Leila and I are broken,’’ he said.

“It’s been two years since the tragedy and we think of our kids every day but what I can say is that my kids didn’t die in vain.

Danny and Leila Abdallah encourage people to forgive during a memorial service for their children and their cousin at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral, Harris Park.

Mr Abdallah recalled seeking a conversation with a man almost two months after the tragedy when he sought a sign from God.

A man told him outside the church in Arabic: “’Please don’t take a step back. You beat the devil by forgiving this driver’”, Mr Abdallah recalled.

“He goes ‘We’re with you, we’re by your side and we’re not going to leave you’. This is my community here.

“And then, he even said, ‘If I could turn back time and give you one of my children to get your children back I would do that to honour God’.

A memorial service was held at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral at Harris Park on the second anniversary of the Oatlands tragedy.

“I’m getting goosebumps just saying it. He’s not the first person to say that.’’

Mr Abdallah implored more people to forgive.

“Please guys, i4Give Week’s here. As Maronites, we struggle to forgive. We start with our homes. Look into your home, forgive yourself and forgive others. This is a calling. My kids didn’t die in vain.

“I want you to remember i4Give Week. We start with us and the world is yearning for this so let’s get it right here and take it out to the world.’’

The family has organised an i4Give Festival at Prince Alfred Park at Parramatta at the weekend but it has been postponed, with the aim of rescheduling it around Easter.

Mr Abdallah said the free event was a way to thanks to the Parramatta community for its support.

Leila and Danny Abdallah with their children Liana, 12, Alex, 7, and Michael, 5. They are with a portrait of Antony, Angelina and Sienna.

Leila Abdallah and Veronique’s mother Bridget Sakr. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“It’s a place where we get together as a community, for families to come together just that one moment seeing happy kids having rides and stalls.

“Leila and I would like to say thank you for the community who have stood beside us. The Parramatta community have been the blueprint of how people should conduct themselves — from the mayor at the time to all the council members to all the people, small businesses to community members, to neighbours.

“We weren’t able to do anything. People were picking the kids up, taking them to sport. We didn’t turn on our stove for six months.’’

Mr Abdallah and his wife are expecting their seventh child on March 21.

“Leila’s doing awesome,’’ Mr Abdallah said.

“She’s been such a focused mum getting the kids ready for school. We’re learning a lot about grief. It’s a complicated when experiencing grief.’’